Sullivan leaves Orange for Pike

Saturday

Jan 4, 2014 at 2:00 AM

GOSHEN — The Orange County Partnership starts the new year looking to replace Michael Sullivan, who resigned after six months as the agency's director of business attraction to return to the Pike County, Pa., Economic Development Authority.

James Walsh

GOSHEN — The Orange County Partnership starts the new year looking to replace Michael Sullivan, who resigned after six months as the agency's director of business attraction to return to the Pike County, Pa., Economic Development Authority.

Sullivan, a longtime promoter of economic development in the region, has resumed being executive director of the Pike agency.

He cited "personal circumstances" for resigning at year's end from the partnership.

"I loved the partnership, and I liked very much working in Orange County," Sullivan, who lives in Deerpark, said Friday from his Milford, Pa., office. "But there were personal considerations that I don't want to disclose... extenuating circumstances that had nothing to do with the partnership."

Maureen Halahan, president and CEO of the partnership, said two candidates were being considered for the job, but a broader search was likely. The position involves generating leads on projects that bring employment to the county.

It has served as a launching pad of careers for people like Halahan and Meghan Taylor, Sullivan's predecessor, who now heads the Putnam County Economic Development Corp.

Nearly 70 people applied before Sullivan was hired in May.

"It doesn't take long (to fill) because it's a very desirable position," Halahan said. "But we want to take our time and be sure we find the right candidate."

Upon hiring Sullivan, Halahan recalled he was her mentor when she was new to the partnership, and he was running a similar agency in Sullivan County.

"He was one of the best we ever had; a great worker," Halahan said of Sullivan.

"He always worked well with the prospects, and he was a great member of our team."

Sullivan's familiar smiling face was still on the partnership's website Friday almost like he'd never left, and it appeared prominently in a collage of photos on Pike's site as well.

He spoke enthusiastically of opportunities and challenges to boost Pike's development, and said he'd soon be discussing them with the board of the Economic Development Authority.

Yet, he said: "I truly miss Orange County and Maureen, and all the people who work there."